Arena Football League owner out to acquire Rep. Boccieri's job

Wednesday

The former mayor of Wadsworth and minority owner of the defunct Arena Football League’s Columbus Destroyers wants U.S. Rep. John Boccieri’s job.

The former mayor of Wadsworth and minority owner of the defunct Arena Football League’s Columbus Destroyers wants U.S. Rep. John Boccieri’s job.

Jim Renacci, 50, a Republican and owner of a financial services business in Wadsworth, filed papers with the Federal Election Commission on Monday to run in 2010 for congressman from Ohio’s 16th Congres-sional District, which in-cludes all or parts of Stark, Wayne, Medina and Ashland counties.

Boccieri, a Democrat who lives in Alliance, won the seat last year, after the retirement of longtime Republican congressman Ralph Regula.

“I’m running for Congress because we can do better,” Renacci said in a statement. “We can do better than bailouts and stimulus packages that have left us on the verge of bankrupting this generation. We can do better than Cap and Trade legislation and a government-run health care scheme that will mortgage the next generation’s future.”

Renacci has a wife and three children.

The Medina County businessman and accountant, who has a minority interest in the Oakhill Manor Care Center in Washington Township, said he has taken an active role in trying to revive the Arena Football League, but he said the league has ceased operations due to flagging ticket sales and sponsorships. Renacci said he will unload his ownership in the Destroyers, so he can focus on running for Congress.

Besides Renacci, Jeffrey Blevins of Wadsworth, a member of the Libertarian Party, also has filed papers stating his intent to challenge Boccieri.